Accurascale Fran

Hi everyone, Our next outing sees us at Model World live at the NEC next weekend. We are proud to be headline sponsors for this new show, and as well as bringing our big stand with us, we were asked to bring something else that is big too (steady on!!) Can you guess what it is? Rich reveals all below! We look forward to seeing you there! Cheers! Fran

Hi Ray, No, all blanking plugs are not faulty. It was mentioned above that one customer was having an issue and a replacement blanking plug solved the issue. I merely suggested that it may solve an issue another user was having. It must be remembered that we make thousands of models, so one component could end up faulty in one loco, or one in three locomotives over the production run. It doesn't make all of them duds. A swallow doesn't make a summer after all. As reported elsewhere above, other users on DC have had excellent slow speed performance too, so it's not one hard and fast rule. As for the term "reach out", I promise I'll stop using it if we can promise not to turn a specific problem possible diagnosis and suggested test remedy into a "this specific part in every locomotive must be faulty as Fran said; try that" hyperbole post in response? I think that's a fair deal. If it's on and off, as in intermittent, perhaps it's something to do with the circuitry, but Simon is much better placed than me to answer, so I would suggest emailing us at support again to see if he has any further thoughts? Cheers! Fran

Hi Darryl, Can confirm affirmative on your second question! Cheers! Fran

Hi Derek, It is a decoder to give control to all the lighting functions on the driving trailer, with an added stay alive. Similar decoders cost more, and we said we would provide a bespoke decoder to give modellers the DCC functionality to control the lighting functions on the DT. The stay alive was added to aid the light flickering that some owners have reported, and we recommend adjusting the lighting pick ups for best results should your model suffer from flickering, or reaching out to our tech team. Other decoders are available too. Cheers! Fran

Hi @ERIC ALLTORQUE, An initial 50 arrived today, with 200 more not far behind. More on the way! Cheers! Fran

Hi folks, We have teamed up with our friends at DCC Concepts who have developed a decoder with an attached stay alive capacitor specifically for our TPE Mark 5 Driving Trailer. Zen decoder software has always been smooth, clever and easy to use but the new BLACK decoder range takes this to a new level, with extended and improved automatic braking and shuttle abilities, simple-to-use ONE step locomotive set-up and advanced brown-out protection. All DCC Concepts decoders are tested at least 3 times before they package them for sale, so they know that they all work perfectly when sold and you can be quite confident that reliability is assured. Decoder features: 1.1 Amps peak power 750mA continuous power 4 functions at 100mA each 2 additional “logic” functions 22mm x 16.5mm 21-pin direct, 8-pin & harness One-Step Loco Setup Shuttle mode (requires ABC boards for this to function) Stay-Alive connection Decoder Programming: F0 – Head/tail lights F1 – Cab interior lights F2 – Destination boards F3 – Destination mode This decoder is now in stock and can be bought exclusively via the Accurascale website right here: https://www.accurascale.com/products/transpennine-express-mk5a-dt-decoder-stayalive Cheers! Fran

Hi Neil, As outlined by a poster above, a blanking plug was causing an issue with slow running on DC. As @McC suggests, perhaps reach out to our support channels to see if we can assist with same? Cheers! Fran

Hi @Dogmatix, We have included an NEM pocket extension piece in the detailing pack to assist here. Cheers! Fran

Hi @zr2498, Final sound file is just being finalised now. We will likely demo it in the decorated sample of 007 or 149 in the coming weeks. You can always place the pre-order on the website and if you don't like what you hear, just cancel it. It's no money down after all, and keeps the one you want reserved. Cheers! Fran

Hi @ERIC ALLTORQUE, Model World Live is absolutely our next show later this month at the NEC. It's likely that we are going to bring something a bit special with us. Watch this space... Cheers! Fran

Hi @Adi, We’re currently awaiting decorated samples which the factory are currently working on. Once we have them in hand we will provide a full update as we will have a full picture then. Cheers! Fran

Hi Al, The preproduction locos pulled the heaviest train on making tracks and I believe that it was the only loco that could pull it single handed and not double headed. It did mile after mile on it without any mechanical issues. Hi @47423, Yes, we should have some once the rest of them arrive with the main shipment in a few weeks. The stock that arrived last week only covered pre-orders. Cheers! Fran

Hi @WCML100, That's correct. It's a massive project but we should have something to show later this year. Cheers! Fran

Hi Phil, The first step is from our warehouse to customer, though we're actively looking at other parts of the journey, with the trip from the far east obviously being the worst offender in the delivery chain. Yes, the plan is to go carbon neutral and we are looking at how this can be achieved. To be frank about it, we are just trying to get ourselves ahead of the curve here, as (and not to go down a political road here) it's obvious that there will be a significant push for all companies to achieve this through legislation in the medium to long term as a business compliance and requirement. It is going to take some working out, but better to be prepared for such things! Cheers! Fran

Hi Steve, As our Stephen says above, yes we will have spares. However, as some of the areas of the 66 are completely redesigned (bogie area around axleboxes and caps etc) as well as body to chassis arrangement, not all parts will be compatible with the Hattons model I'm afraid. Cheers! Fran

Accurascale launches an industry first initiative to go green and offer FREE carbon-neutral shipping on ALL orders. Hi everyone, In line with Earth Month in April 2024, when environmental issues take centre stage, we looked at how we can further improve ourselves and our processes, to grow as a company, while also thinking about our environment. We already offer 100% recyclable boxes and packaging, but we wanted to do more. Therefore, we’ve joined forces with a global effort of businesses to offset the carbon footprint of commerce. What does that mean? It means that every order placed with Accurascale direct will contribute (at no extra cost to the customer!) to groundbreaking carbon removal projects along with offering carbon-neutral shipping on all orders. How does it work? For every order we receive, a formula is used to calculate the estimated shipping emissions, based on those estimates a portion of our revenue goes to carbon removal companies – at no extra cost to you! We’ve taken the decision to absorb this cost ourselves as we know how important our environment is to us and our customers. That’s not all! Along with our own climate commitment, you, (our customer) can choose to ‘top up’ our support for ground-breaking carbon removal technologies with every order placed. You can do this at the checkout, where you will have the option of adding a further 20p to your order should you wish. This is completely optional. One of the many ways Accurascale are continually pushing the boundaries in the model railway industry. Learn More About How It All Works Here: https://www.accurascale.com/pages/climate-commitment Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, We've been asked to provide a quick guide on replacing the front valance, so here you go! https://www.accurascale.com/blogs/lets-get-involved/fitting-your-class-66-front-valance-bufferbeam Cheers! Fran

Hi @ERIC ALLTORQUE, Absolutely, and very well said. I think it's always important to recgonise their skills and contributions. These are essentially hand made, with very little in the way of automation or even mechanisation. As I've said many times in the past; they're simply the best model makers in the world. The level of consistency they achieve in the fit and finish of the models is just mind blowing. Cheers! Fran

Hi @Cheekyharry, Many thanks for your kind words and thanks, but the stars of this show are @Steve Purves, @Pixie and of course the staff from Hattons on the original design. I just get the brilliant job to tell you all the story with it. I'm delighted that everyone is enjoying their locos though! Cheers! Fran

Hi @P.C.M, Some photos to highlight the shade of our blue and demonstrate black roof colour. Both photos credit and copyright of Tim Rogers. Cheers! Fran

Hi Mick, Look forward to seeing it weathered up in person at Showcase! Cheers! Fran

Hi @50025, We will be announcing batch two at the end of this year. Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, Im sure pulling power will be up to scratch as the heaviest trains on Making Tracks were trusted to our preproduction samples, no other locos could cope with the loads day in day out. The 66 features our all new Accurathrash speaker rated at 8 ohms, along with a sugar cube speaker in line with the set up with the rest of our sound fitted models. The first 66001 models should start arriving with modellers from today! Cheers! Fran

Hi Nick, I can confirm that it includes 37714 as the whole batch is made at the same time. Cheers! Fran

Hi @Bryn_Bach_Railway, That is correct re your order mixed with other 66s, but if you (or anyone else reading this) email us at sales@accurascale.com with your order number we can split it out for you and send 66001 separately. We have the decoders being programmed at the moment. I will have an update on them later this week. Cheers! Fran